Rotary engine.



PATENTED Nov, 29, 1904. Y J. A. s.- BECKER.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED DQT. 10, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

No. 776,376. PATENTED Nov. 29, 1904. J. A; s. BECKER.

RGTARY ENGINE.

- APPLICATXON FILED 0071.10, 1904.

No MODEL. y 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.`

S. *QW Q No. 776,376. RATRNTRD No-v. 29, 1904.

J. A. s. BROKER. ROTARY RNGINR.

APPLICATION rILRD 00110, 1904.

N0 MODEL y a SHEETS-SHEET a.

Fatented November 29, 1'904.

JOHN A. S. BECKER, OF FREEPORT, ILLINOIS.

ROTARY ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 776,376, dated November29, 1904.

Application led October 10, 1904. Serial No. 227,867. (No model.)

T0 LZZ whom, it puny concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. S. BECKER, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Freeport, in the county of Stephenson and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in RotaryEngines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in rotary engines; and it consistsof the novel construction, arrangement, and combinations of partshereinafter fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

Referring' to the accompanying' drawings, which form a part of thisspecification, Figure l is a side elevation of an engine embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section at the dotted line 2 2 inFig. 1. Fig'. 3 is a central section of the engine at the dotted line 33 in Fig. Q. Fig. 4 is a section at the dotted line 4 4 in Fig. 2 ofparts there shown. Fig. 5 is an isometrica] detail view of the valve ofthe engine.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views.

A is the frame of the engine and has circular bearings A A2 therein.

B is the driving-shaft of the` engine and is mounted in the bearing A2in the frame A.

B is the crank-shaft of the engine and is mounted in the bearing A' inthe frame A and in a bushing, to be described hereinafter, insertedthrough and supported by a stationary part, also to be describedhereinafter. The inner end portion of the shaft B is also provided witha duct B2, extending longitudinally inward and thence transverselyoutward therethrough for the purpose of admitting oil to lubricate thesame.

C is the crank-chamber of the engine and is provided with steam-ports OO2 O3 C* and is fast mounted on the driving-shaft B and loose mounted onthe crank-shaft B.

D D2 D3D4 are cylinders having steam-ducts Z Z2 Z3 d* thereincommunicating with the interiors thereof and connecting with the innerends of the ports O O2 O3 OA1 in the crankchamber O and radially securedby their inner ends to the sides of and opening into the crank-chamber Oand closed at their outer ends by means of heads D5.

E E2 E3 Ei are pistons freely slidable in their respective cylinders DD2 D3 D".

F is a crank fast by one end thereof to the crank-shaft B and providedat its other or free end with a crank-pin F, Fig. 3.

G G2 Gr3 Gf are piston-rods pivoted by their inner ends to the crank-pinF of the crank F and by their outer ends to the wrist-pins g' gf g g" ofthe pistons.

H is a circular steam-chest having' a central circular openingI H, Fig'.2, in the head H2 thereof, the circular projection H3 on thecrank-chamber O entering and serving as a closure for its open and innerend H". The steam-chest H either rests on a separate stationary base(not shown) or may be connected with and form a part of the main frame Aof the machine.

I is a pipe tapped in through the head H2 of the steam-chest H for theadmission of steam thereinto.

J J' are an outlet-chamber and connected pipe for the escape ofexhausted steam from the engine.

K, Fig. 5, is a circular valve having an inlet-port K and an outlet-portK2 therein, the former port, K, being so arranged as to successivelyregister with the ports O O2 O3 Ol in the crank-chamber O and alsobeing' in conimunication with the interior of the steamchest H, whereinsuch valve K is stationarily seated, and the latter port, K, openinginto a radial chamber K3, which opens outward through the periphery ofsuch valve K into the outlet-chamber J.

K'L represents packing-rings set into the periphery of the valve K toinsure a tight joint between the same and the wall of the steamchest H.

Ki is a segmental recess in the face K6 of the valve K, through thebottom of which the inlet-port K extends.

L is a gate included and adapted to slide endwise in therecess K in thevalve K, and thereby completely or partially close the inlet-port Ktherein, according as may be desired.

M, Figs. 2 and 4, is a bushing mounted in the circular bearing H- in thesteam-chest H, so as to be rocked therein, anditself furnish- IOC ing abearing for the crank-shaft B' and also being provided with a transversedownwardlyextending preferably integral arm M, made fast at its lowerend to the gate L.

M2 is a lever fast by its lower end to the bushing M, which it serves torock to and fro in its bearing H to operate the gate L, which regulatesthe amount of steam to be admitted through the inlet-port K or excludesit therefrom altogether, according as desired.

M3 is a spring-actuated detent mounted in the lever M2 and adapted toengage any of the sockets h i in the segmental plate M5 and therethroughlock its lever M2 and the gate L, connected intermediately therewith, inany desired positions.

MG is a hand-lever of the ordinary form for disengaging the detent M3from the sockets IWIi to release the lever M2.

N is a worm-wheel fast mounted on the crank-shaft B.

N is a shaft mountedin the bearings N2 N3 on the frame A of the engine.

N2 is a worm meshing with the worm-wheel N and fast mounted on the shaftN'.

N 5 is a hand-wheel for operating the shaft N.

In Fig. 3 the parts of the engine are in proper positions, if steam beadmitted thereinto, to cause the same to be rotated in the directionindicated by the arrow a. If the crank-shaft B be turned by rotating thehandwheel N in the direction indicated by the arrow c until thecrank-pin I", Fig. 3, occupies the position indicated by the dottedcircle X, the engine will reverse its motion and rotate in the directionindicated by the arrow Supposing all parts of the engine to be in thepositions shown in the drawings, its mode of operation will be asfollows: Steam entering' the steam-chest H from the pipe I passestherefrom through the inlet-port K in the valve K and thence through theport C and duct (Z3, Fig. 2, into the cylinder D3, thereby causing theengine to turn about one-fourth of a revolution or until the inlet-portK in the valve K registers with the port C'L in the crank-chamber C, andso on, the port K' next successively registering with the ports C and C2in the cylinders D D2. If the inlet-port K of the valve K is opened toits fullest eX- tent, it will continue to admit steam to the port it isleavingI after it has begun to register with and admit steam to the portit is approaching. Such adjustment of the gate L will obviously resultin the generation of great power. When little power is required, thegate L should be so adjusted as to admit but little steam and that tobut one port of the engine at a time.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a rotary engine, in combination, a supporting-frame, adriving-shaft and a crankshaft mounted therein, a crank-chamber providedwith a plurality of steam-portsdcorresponding in number with thecylinders to be employed therewith and fast mounted on the driving-shaftand loose mounted on the crankshaft, a plurality of cylinders, having'steamducts therein*communicating with the interiors thereof andconnecting with the inner ends of the ports in the crank-chamber--andradially secured, by their inner ends, to the sides of and opening into,the crank-chamber, and closed at their outer ends, a plurality ofpistons freely slidable in their respective cylinders, a crank, fast byone end thereof to the crank-shaft and provided, at its other end, witha crank-pin, piston-rods pivoted, by their inner ends, to the crank-pinof the crank on the'crank-shaft, and, by their outer ends, to thewrist-pins of their respective pistons, a circular steam-chestreceiving, in its open end, and being supported by a circular projectingclosure on the crank-chamber, conduits for the admission of steam intoand its exit from the steam-chest, a circular valve, having an inletportand an outlet-port therein, the former port being so arranged as tosuccessively register with the ports in the crank-chamber and also beingin communication with the interior of the steam-chest, and the latterport opening into the radial chamber which opens outward through theperiphery of such valve into the discharge-conduit for exhausted steam,and a gate included and adapted to slide endwise in a recess, in thecircular valve, and thereby completely or partially close the inlet-porttherein, and means of operating such gate, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

Q. In a rotary engine, in combination, a supporting-frame, adriving-shaft and a crankshaft mounted therein, a crank-chamber providedwith a plurality of steam-ports-correspending in number with thecylinders to be employed therewithvand fast mounted on the driving-shaftand loose mounted on the crankshaft, a plurality of cylinders, havingsteamducts thereincommunicating with the interiors thereof andconnecting with the inner ends of the ports in the crank-chamber-andradially secured, by their inner ends, to the sides of and opening into,the crank-chamber, and closed at their outer ends, a plurality ofpistons freely slidable in their respective cylinders, a crank, fast byone end thereof to the crank-shaft and provided, at its other end, witha crank-pin, piston-rods pivoted, by their inner ends, to the crank-pinof the crank on the crank-shaft, and, by their outer ends, to thewrist-pins of their respective pistons, a circular steam-chest having acentral circular opening in the head thereof and receiving, in its openend, and being supported by a circular projecting closure on thecrank-chamber and provided with an outlet-chamber, opening through theperiphery thereof, for the escape of exhaust-steam therefrom, a conduitfor the IOO IIO

admission of steam into the steam-chest, a circular valve, having aninlet-port and outletport therein, the former port being so arranged asto successively register with the ports in the crank-chamber, and alsobeing in communication with the interior of the steamchest, and thelatter port opening into the radial chamber which opens outward throughthe periphery of the valve into the outletchambcr in the periphery ofthe steam-chest, a gate included and adapted to slide in a recess, insuch valve, and thereby completely or partially close the inlet-porttherein, a bushing mounted in the central circular opening in thesteam-chest, so as to be rocked therein, and itself furnishing a bearingfor the crankshaft ofthe engine and also being provided with atransverse downwardly-extending arm, fast by its lower end to the gatein the valve, and a lever fast to such bushing and serving to rock thesame to and fro to operate such gate, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

3. In a rotary engine, in combination, asupporting-frame, adriving-shaft and a crankshaft mounted therein, a crank-chamber providedwith a plurality of steam-ports-corresponding in number with thecylinders to be employed therewith-and fast mounted on the driving-shaftand loose mounted on the crankshaft, a plurality of cylinders, havingsteamducts thereincommunicating with the interiors thereof andconnectingI with the inner ends of the ports in the crank-chamber-andradially secured, by their inner ends, to the sides of and opening'into, the crank-chamber, and closed at their outer ends, a plurality ofpistons freely slidable in their respective cylinders, a crank, fast byone end thereof to the crank-shaft and provided, at its other end, witha crank-pin, piston-rods pivoted, by their inner ends, to the crank-pinof the crank on the crank-shaft, and, by their outer ends, to thewrist-pins of their respective pistons, a circular steam-chest having acentral circular opening in the head thereof and receiving, in its openend, and being supported by a circular projecting' closure on thecrank-chamber and provided with an outlet-chamber, opening through theperiphery thereof, for the escape of exhaust-steam therefrom, a conduitfor the admission of steam into the steam-chest, a circular valve,havingI an inlet-port and outletport therein, the former port being soarranged as to successively register with the ports in thecrank-chamber, and also being in communication with the interior of thesteamchest, and the latter port opening into the radial chamber whichopens outward through the periphery of the valve into the outletchamberin the periphery of the steam-chest, a gate included and adapted toslide in a recess, in such valve, and thereby completely or partiallyclose thc inlet-port therein, a bushing mounted in the central circularopening' in the steam-chest, so as to be rocked therein, and itselffurnishing a bearing for the crankshaft of the engine and also beingprovided with a transverse downwardly-extending arm,

fast by its lower end to the gate in the valve, a lever fast to suchbushing and serving to rock the same to and fro to operate such gate,and the worm-gearing for adjusting the crankshaft to reverse the engine,substantially as and for the purposespeciiied.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specication in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN A. S. BECKER.

Witnesses:

L. L. MORRISON, NELLIE E. ENNETT.

